I thought he played hard for us and he'll only get better. - Troy G. Ward on Morgan Klimchuk

Calgary Flames 2013 first round draft pick Morgan Klimchuk got his first taste of the pro game on Friday, suiting up for the Abbotsford Heat in their 3-2 win over the Oklahoma City Barons.

Heat bench boss Troy G. Ward was satisfied with the rookie's play, which saw him pick a up plus-one rating while skating on a line with AHL veteran Corey Locke and Heat sophomore Brett Olson.

"I thought he did a good job," he said on Friday evening. :I thought he battled hard on the walls as a young kid. He didn't get a lot done offensively but we didn't as a group, in general, at times. I thought it was a good first game for him.

"It's kind of one of those games where you've got to clean out everything from your past and start fresh. I was happy with him. I thought he was good on the bench. I thought he played hard for us and he'll only get better."

Klimchuk did not register a shot his first AHL outing but was a plus-one at the end of the night.

The Flames selected the Calgary, AB native 28th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. He has spent his entire WHL career with the Regina Pats.

Klimchuk compiled 30 goals and 74 points through 57 regular season games with the Pats. The winger potted three goals and five points in four postseason games.